England’s 2018 World Cup bid team Tuesday lodged a formal complaint over comments made by the head of the rival Russian delegation about London’s crime rate.

Russia’s bid chief Alexei Sorokin told a sports newspaper the English capital was plagued with record levels of crime and youth binge drinking.

“It’s no secret that in London they have the highest crime rate compared with other European cities and the highest level of alcohol consumption among young people,” he was quoted as saying by Russia’s Sports Express.

Sorokin later apologized for the comments — but said he was only speaking the truth.

A spokesman for England’s 2018 team confirmed a complaint was raised with FIFA, the world soccer governing body.

It was understood England wanted a formal apology from Sorokin for trying to denigrate its bid. The Russian’s comments appeared to have breached rules on making remarks about rival bid nations.

FIFA’s vote to decide which nation will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were scheduled to take place on Dec. 2.